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Computers

Who doesn't like computer hardware if it's something that will make your work go faster and your play more fun? Unfortunately, it's a complicated and technical world and just when you think it's starting to make sense it seems to change almost overnight. Even worse, it's one of the shortest-term investments you can make with your money. Naturally, this presents some serious financial problems when considering a computer upgrade. Ken is no exception to this rule, so if you were expecting a spiffy web page loaded with benchmarks and reviews of the latest doohickeys you came to the wrong place. Try the links at the top for people who have money and connections for such extravagance. However, if you'd like some wise tidbits, informative links, or just a peek under the hood at Ken's own computer you're in the right spot. Read on.
Too old for you?
Ken tries to help others who are are not so blessed with donations of used computers or parts. Thanks to the support of people not unlike you he has refurbished and given away a number of second-hand computers to very grateful people.
I'd like to help someone
I could use some help


Thanks to ATI for help with the list
An excerpt from the PNNL newsletter:
Kudos: Lamar Stoops and Spyro Tzemos, Energy Science and Technology, and Lamar's son Ken set up donated computers for use in a Sunset View Elementary classroom in Kennewick. Schoolteacher Jennifer Quesnell wanted to publicly thank Spyro, Lamar and Ken for their help in getting her classroom "a little closer to the goal of Internet access for classroom projects and research." The computers were purchased with DOE funds and then excessed, when replaced with newer equipment. These excessed Laboratory-managed computers are made available to public schools by the Laboratory's Equipment Gift and Distribution Programs.

Do you find that you spend more time getting your computer to work than actually working? Maybe you are a slave to technology.

Have you ever tried to explain computers to your mom?

Computerisms

Contribute your own computerism!

Odin
After years of struggling with outdated 486s and a venerable Pentium 60 Ken scraped together enough money to upgrade his computer in November of 1998. To cut costs he bought a Celeron 300A and overclocked it to 450MHz, saving about $700 and making it faster than the fastest PC then available on the market. It has since enjoyed several peripheral upgrades and serves Ken pretty well, especially now with more memory to support Ken's new digital imaging hobby. :-)
A peek at Ken's workstation (with image map links)
Odin: Ken's workstation
Odin's hardware listing
Motherboard Abit BH6 1.0
CPU Intel Celeron 450 MHz
Memory (CAS2) 2 of 128MB Crucial PC133
Hard Disk Storage 15GB IBM 7200 RPM
CD-ROM 1 MKEPanasonic 2x
CD-ROM 2 36x
CD-ROM 3 Memorex 48x
CD-RW HP CD-Writer+ 7100
Primary Graphics 3dfx Velocity 100 (Voodoo3)
Secondary Graphics Diamond Viper 330 (Riva 128)
Primary Video Display NEC MultiSync XV15+
Secondary Video Display Impression 3 Plus 15"
Audio Sound Blaster Live! Value
Secondary Audio OPTi 82C929
Networking 3COM Etherlink XL 900B
Case / Power Supply Enlight 7230 / 300W

Play the WAV for some inspiring words from the wise

Valhalla

The second incarnation of Ken's secondary computer, Valhalla offers greatly increased possibilities. For the first time Ken has another computer with the power to run Descent II and Shadow Warrior, so he uses it as a LAN gaming station. With a full tower case this computer is a natural server as well and Ken plans to set it up in his future home to run MP3s and even DVD movies. Big thanks to Bob W for some of the parts.

Valhalla's hardware listing
Motherboard QDI VX II
CPU Intel Pentium MMX 187 MHz
Memory 64MB EDO SIMM
Hard Disk 1 2GB Maxtor
Hard Disk 2 1.5GB Maxtor
CD-ROM 1 I/O Magic 40x
CD-ROM 2 Mitsumi 2x
CD-ROM 3 MKE Panasonic 2x
CD-ROM 4 MKE Panasonic 2x
Primary Graphics Diamond Stealth 3D (ViRGE)
Primary Video Display 14"
Audio Media Vision Jazz
Networking Cogent PCI Fast Ethernet
Case / Power Supply Full tower / 250W



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